The following storylines were ones that emerged from the Sixers' morning shootaround on Thursday, December 8th. They play the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center at 8:00 PM EST.* With their three-game road trip rolling down to New Orleans, the Sixers were in a new place Thursday, and had some new faces join them. On that note, today's injury / player availability report…Joel Embiid is good to go, and will remain on the 28-minute playing time budget that he has been assigned his previous two appearances against Orlando and Denver, respectively.Robert Covington linked up with the Sixers Wednesday, when he flew from Philadelphia to New Orleans. The swingman has been sidelined for three games with the left knee sprain he sustained December 2nd versus Orlando, but has been cleared for action – free of restrictions – Thursday night. The team's medical staff, however, will closely monitor how Covington handles the physical demands of live game speed for the first time in six days. Accompanying Covington on his flight to the Big Easy Wednesday was Nerlens Noel, who took part in portions of Thursday's shootaround. Although he won't play against the Pelicans, Brett Brown indicated the center's season debut might not be too far away (more on that shortly…).Jahlil Okafor (gastroenteritis) is still back in the Philadelphia area, as is Jerryd Bayless (left wrist soreness).Check back soon for more updates to this edition of the shootaround report.
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Bulls look to find consistency during home-heavy December schedule
by Luka Dukich
